Explain why BB and pellet air guns must always be treated with
the same respect as firearms.

Describe how you would react if a friend visiting your home
asked to see your or your family's firearm(s).

Explain the need for and use and types of eye and hearing protection.

Explain the main points of the laws for owning and using guns
in your community and state.

Explain how hunting is related to the wise use of renewable
wildlife resources.

Successfully complete a state hunter education course, or obtain
a copy of the hunting laws for your state, then do the following:

Explain the main points of hunting laws in your state and
give any special laws on the use of guns and ammunition, and

List the kinds of wildlife that can be legally hunted in
your state.

Explain to your counselor the proper hygienic guidelines used
in shooting.

Identify and explain three shotgun sports. Identify places in
your community where you could shoot these sports and explain how
you can join or be a part of shooting sports activities.

Give your counselor a list of sources that you could contact
for information on firearms and their use.

Do ONE of the following options:

SHOTGUN SHOOTING (MODERN SHOTSHELL TYPE) - OPTION A

Identify the principal parts of a shotgun, action types,
and how they function.

Identify and demonstrate the rules for safely handling a
shotgun.

Identify the parts of a shotgun shell and their functions.

Identify the various gauges of shotguns. Explain which one
you would pick for use and why.

Identify and explain the fundamentals of safely shooting
a shotgun.
Explain what a misfire, hangfire, and squib fire are, and explain
the procedures to follow in response to each.

Identify and explain each rule for safely shooting a shotgun.

Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary
to safely shoot moving targets, using the fundamentals of shotgun
shooting.

Identify the materials needed to clean a shotgun.

Demonstrate how to clean a shotgun safely.

Discuss what points you would consider in selecting a shotgun.

Shooting score required. - Hit at least 12 (48 percent)
out of 25 targets in two 25 target groups. The two groups need
not be shot in consecutive order. A minimum of 50 shots must
be fired.

Shooting skill rules:

Targets may be thrown by a hand trap, manual mechanical
trap, or on any trap or skeet field. Note: If using a hand
trap or manual mechanical trap, the trap operator should
be at least 5 feet to the right and 3 feet to the rear of
the shooter. If throwing left-handed with a hand trap, the
trap operator should be at least 5 feet to the left and
3 feet to the rear of the shooter.

All targets should be thrown at a reasonable speed and
in the same direction.

Targets should be generally thrown so as to climb in
the air after leaving the trap.

Scores may be fired at any time, either in formal competition
or in practice.

Any gauge shotgun not exceeding 12 gauge may be used.

Only commercially manufactured ammunition may be used.
Reloads may not be used in BSA shooting sports programs.

Shooters must shoot in rounds of 25. Rounds need not
be shot continuously or on the same day (the term "round"
refers to a single series of 25 shots).

If using a trap field, shoot station 3 with traps set
to throw straightaway targets.

If using a skeet field, shoot station 7 low house.

MUZZLELOADING SHOTGUN SHOOTING - OPTION B

Discuss a brief history of the development of the muzzleloading
shotgun.

Identify principal parts of percussion and flintlock shotguns
and discuss how they function.

Demonstrate and explain the rules of safely handling a muzzleloading
shotgun.

Identify the various grades of black powder and their proper
and safe use.

Identify proper procedures and accessories used for safely
loading a muzzleloading shotgun.

Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary
to safely shoot a muzzleloading shotgun on a range, including
range procedures.
Explain what a misfire, hangfire, and squib fire are, and explain
the procedures to follow in response to each.

Shoot a moving target with a muzzleloading shotgun using
the five fundamentals of firing the shot.

Identify the materials needed to clean a muzzleloading shotgun
properly and safely.

Demonstrate how to clean to clear a muzzleloading shotgun's
failure to fire and explain or demonstrate proper correction
procedures.

Identify the causes of a muzzleloading shotgun's failure
to fire and explain or demonstrate proper preventive procedures.

Discuss what points you would consider if selecting a muzzleloading
shotgun.

Shooting score required. -- Hit at least 5 out of 15 targets
in each of two 15-target groups.
The two groups need not be shot in consecutive order. A minimum
of 30 shots must be fired.

Shooting skill rules:

Targets may be thrown by a hand trap, manual mechanical
trap, or on any trap or skeet field. Note: if using a hand
trap or manual mechanical trap, the trap operator should
be at least 5 feet to the right and 3 feet to the rear of
the shooter. If throwing left-handed with a hand trap, the
trap operator should be at least 5 feet to the left and
3 feet to the rear of the shooter.

All targets should be thrown at a reasonable speed and
in the same direction.

Targets should be generally thrown so as to climb in
the air after leaving the trap.

Scores may be fired at any time, either in formal competition
or in practice.

Any gauge shotgun not exceeding 10 gauge may be used.

Standard clay targets customarily used for trap and
skeet are to be used.

On a standard trap field, the shooter should be positioned
8 yards behind the trap house. The trap should be set to
throw only straightaway targets

On a skeet field, use station 7 low house.

Shooting Sports Merit Badge Counselor Requirements and Registration

Section 7.0.1.1 Qualifications of Counselors, in the 2015 Guide to
Advancement (BSA Publication 33088 - SKU 620573) has specific special
qualifications or certifications for either the merit badge counselor or
the supervisor of certain activities that may be involved with the Shotgun
Shooting Merit Badge, as follows:

Shotgun Shooting. The merit badge counselor is responsible for ensuring
that all instruction or other activities involving any handling of firearms
or live ammunition is consistent with state and federal law and supervised
by a certified NCS shooting sports director or NRA Shotgun Instructor
or Coach. Instruction or other activities involving handling muzzle-loading
shotguns must be supervised by an NCS shooting sports director or NRA/NMLRA
certified muzzle-loading shotgun instructor. Shooting must be supervised
by an NRA-certified Range Safety Officer. If instruction and shooting
are to occur at the same time, both the RSO and qualified instructor
must be present. They may not be the same person. Note that commercial
shooting ranges may provide RSOs. See the Guide to Safe Scouting
and the BSA National Shooting Sports Manual, No. 30931, for
further details on shooting sports.

To qualify as a shooting sports merit badge counselor, a volunteer must:

Register annually with the Boy Scouts of America.

Be at least 21 years old.

Be of good character.

Be proficient in the merit badge subject by vocation, avocation,
or special training.

Be certified by the National Rifle Association as an instructor
for the merit badge discipline or be currently certified as a National
Camping School shooting sports director with the NRA rifle and shotgun
instructor certification. For example, a Rifle Shooting merit badge
counselor must be a certified NRA rifle instructor.

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